FILE - In this Sept. 25, 2017 file photo, North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho speaks outside the U.N. Plaza Hotel, in New York. Russian state news agency Tass says North Korea’s foreign minister has described his nation’s nuclear weapons as a “sword of justice.” Tass quoted North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho accusing U.S. President Donald Trump of “setting a fuse of war” with his September speech at the United Nations, it was reported on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

North Korean diplomat describes nukes as 'sword of justice'

Oct. 11, 2017

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian state news agency Tass says North Korea's foreign minister has described his nation's nuclear weapons as a "sword of justice."

Tass quoted North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho on Wednesday accusing U.S. President Donald Trump of "setting a fuse of war" with his September speech at the United Nations.

Trump threatened in the U.N. speech to "totally destroy" North Korea if forced to defend the U.S. or its allies.

Ri told Tass that the North's nuclear weapons represent a deterrent to protect the country from the U.S.

He said the North's strategic forces have "inexhaustible power that won't leave aggressor state America unpunished." Ri added that North Korea's "army and people are persistently demanding to settle the final score with the Americans with a fiery hail, not words."